Elgin's Family Guide

Apr. 11th - May. 2nd

Captain Brickbeard needs YOU! His precious Golden Treasure is missing, and time is running out. He needs more pirates to help him find the lovely loot! Are you ready to join his Pirate Crew? Pirate-y fun, prizes and adventures galore on LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago Island coming this spring!

When: March 25th - May 2nd

Activities Include:

Search LDC Island for the golden treasure in the treasure scavenger hunt!
Build your own pirate ship
Make an action-packed pirate adventure at our stop motion tables
Zoom your ship as fast as you dare at our zipline
Build the tallest, wackiest or wildest pirate ship and race against your family or other guests!
Search for Princess Argenta and her pirate crew in MINILAND

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Apr. 29th - Dec. 31st

Learn From the Best Anywhere, Anytime - Full Scholarships Available

Key Features of Self-Paced Learning With Digital Media Academy:

Learn anywhere, any time
Progress at your own pace
No pre-requisites
No special software or hardware required
Access the same courses presented by Digital Media Academy at prestigious universities around the world
Courses are aligned with global standards
Receive a Digital Media Academy certificate upon completion
What's better than attending an innovative digital media or technology course at a prestigious university campus like Stanford University? Doing so in your own home, at your own pace.

Whether you live in a time zone that makes attending a live Digital Media Academy course difficult, or you want the freedom to move more quickly or slowly through the material, Digital Media Academy's self-paced digital media and technology courses might be just what you're looking for.

Developed by industry and curriculum experts, and tested and proven by over 500,000 students throughout the past 20 years, these courses allow young learners to explore their passions and develop 21st century skills.

Although these courses have traditionally been delivered live and in-person on North America's most prestigious university campuses, the self-paced format allows students aged 5 to 18 the world over to experience Digital Media Academy's unique educational offerings.

Not only that, but after the great success of the spring break virtual camp scholarship program, Digital Media Academy is offering Ten Thousand FULL scholarships for talented students who would benefit from a self-paced learning experience.

Why Self-Paced Learning?

Studies have shown that when students are given the ability to decide for themselves how much time to spend learning new material, they perform better because they are able to focus their efforts on concepts they find personally challenging.

Digital Media Academy recognizes the advantage of a self-paced format not only for student performance, but for accessibility as well. Knowing that not every student lives close to a campus where courses are offered, or even in a convenient time zone to attend a virtual course, Digital Media Academy wanted to offer the same high quality of digital media and technology education that has been delivered live for the past 20 years in a format that would ensure as many young learners as possible would have access to it.

The self-paced format allows learners of all backgrounds to enrich their learning, explore potential career paths, ignite their passion and build a foundation of knowledge and skills that are not only exciting but in-demand.

What to Expect from a Self-Paced Tech Course at Digital Media Academy

With over self-paced 30 courses available across 6 categories, there is sure to be something that piques the interest of the young learner in your life. Courses are available for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18, in the following categories:

Digital Storytelling
Game Development
Creative Design
Computer Science + AI
Robotics + Engineering
Business + Entrepreneurship
Each course has 5 or 6 modules, and requires an average of 12-15 hours to complete. While participants are given three months to work through the course at their own pace, a particularly motivated learner could complete a course in a matter of days. It all depends on the learner's schedule, preferences and needs.

No special equipment is required, and if a participant has questions, they can ask a virtual teacher. Learning and progress will be assessed through automated quizzes and assignments.

Upon completion of a course, learners will receive certificates demonstrating their achievement, which include the seal of alignment with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Who Should Consider a Self-Paced Course?

Digital Media Academy's courses enhance students' academic opportunities by offering research-based, 21st century learning in areas like game design, coding, animation, and other subjects that aren't always comprehensively covered in school.

Our self-paced courses are designed for young learners aged 5 to 18 with an aptitude for digital media or tech subjects who would benefit from gaining a foundation of understanding in that subject.

Course options include:

Ages 9-12:

Encryption, Cyphers and Digital Detectives
Design Challenges
Fun With Robots
And more
Ages 13-18:

App Designer Studio
Introduction to 3D Modeling in Tinkercard
Show and Tell: Script and Storyboard
And more
Do you know a self-motivated young learner whose interest might be sparked by an engaging digital media or technology foundation course offered by a certified, trusted and proven education institution?

Don't miss this opportunity to inspire them!

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Aug. 1st - 31st

Our Race Through America Virtual Race Series continues! Each month we will race through a different state, until we've race through all of the states in America! For our twentieth race, we will be racing through the great state of Illinois.
We will be donating 15% of each registration in our Race Through America series to Feeding America, who is the leading domestic hunger relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks. We hope to help feed thousands with our Race Through America Series!


What: This is a virtual race. You choose to complete 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 or 50 Miles. You complete your race on your own and submit your time to us. Then we ship your medal directly to you.

When: Complete your race anytime in August 2022!
*Medals and bibs will ship out within 2 to 5 days of signing up. (medals and bibs start shipping out July 15, 2022)

Where: You choose the course and you time yourself (you'll report your finishing time to us).

Why: To celebrate the beautiful state of Illinois.

COST: $18, which includes your medal, bib and at least 15% of every entry will be donated to Feeding America. *We are in no way affiliated with this charity, we like to choose a different charity for each of our races and are happy to raise funds for them.

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Aug. 16th

Join Jenn for her virtual meetup to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates, and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 9am PT/10am MT/11am CT/12pm ET!
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/95193201666

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Sep. 12th

Join Catherine, an experienced attorney, to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates & anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you at 1pm EST! Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/98555206307

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Sep. 13th

Join Sharon, an experienced surrogate, to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 10:30am PST. Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83554400620?

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Sep. 20th

Join Jenn for her virtual meetup to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates, and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 9am PT/10am MT/11am CT/12pm ET!
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/95193201666

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Nov. 9th - 10th

Hank the Cowdog's exciting new addition is "Ranch Weather." It's impact on cowboys' lives is caused by different weather affecting every aspect of ranching. Cowboys help cattle survive blizzards, droughts and floods!

Legendary Author John Erickson returns with stories and songs to tell us about Hank the Cowdog's adventures.

*Onsite registration now open
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Session 1: 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. CT
Session 2: 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. CT
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Session 3: 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. CT
Session 4: 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. CT

Location: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center (APCC) at Texas A&M University,1002 George Bush Drive West, College Station, TX 77843

Register for FREE onsite programs at: https://www.bush41.org/education/reservations.

Please stay informed by our website, bush41.org, about COVID-19 conditions affecting program policies.

Register at Connect2Texas.net to attend virtually or to receive a free recording afterwards.
1. Create an account.
2. Click on the Events tab and select George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, event "The Return of Legendary Author John Erickson and Hank the Cowdog"
Registration help: Contact Lori Hamm-Neckar at lhamm@esc11.net or 817-740-7156

*Pre-registered onsite participants will receive a free copy of "Hank the Cowdog: Ranch Weather."

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Dec. 3rd - 31st

His Name Shall Be 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2

For our December Bible Race celebrating the birth of Christ. Isaiah 9:6 And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Complete anytime in December 2022!

For all of our 2022 Bible Race events, we will be donating 15% of each registration of our Bible Races to an incredible organization, Operation Underground Railroad, who has gathered the world's experts in extraction operations and in anti-child trafficking efforts to bring an end to child slavery. O.U.R.'s Ops Team consists of former CIA, past and current law enforcement, and highly skilled operatives that lead coordinated identification and extraction efforts. These operations are always in conjunction with law enforcement throughout the world. Once victims are rescued, a comprehensive process involving justice for the perpetrators and recovery and rehabilitation for the survivors begins. It is time for private citizens and organizations to rise up and help. It is our duty as a free and blessed people. This is our way of helping as many of God's children as we possibly can!


What: This is a 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 virtual run (or walk)! You choose which distance you want to complete!

When: Complete your race any time in December 2022!

* Medals and bibs will start shipping out November 15, 2022! After that they will ship out within 2 to 5 days of signing up.

Where: You choose the course and you time yourself (you'll report your finishing time to us).

Why: Because this is our way of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Cost: The price is $18 and that includes your medal, bib and at least 15% of every entry will be donated to Operation Underground Railroad. *We are in no way affiliated with this charity, we like to choose a different charity for each of our races and are happy to raise funds for them.

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